SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN), a leading biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2018 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments.

“With new drug applications for roxadustat in anemia associated with chronic kidney disease supported by positive Phase 3 results and under review in China and Japan, we look forward to the upcoming reporting of topline clinical results, pooled safety data and submitting our U.S. NDA,” said Thomas B. Neff, FibroGen’s Chief Executive Officer. “For pamrevlumab, our proprietary anti-fibrotic and anti-fibroproliferative therapeutic candidate, we are initiating Phase 3 studies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and in unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer, in the first quarter of 2019.”

Recent Developments and HighlightsRoxadustat for Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in the U.S./EU

Topline Phase 3 clinical results anticipated for the fourth quarter of this year

Pooled MACE analysis results and submission of New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) anticipated in the first half of 2019

Roxadustat NDA approval for the treatment of dialysis-dependent CKD is anticipated by year-end 2018, followed by approval in CKD non dialysis

Clinical results from two Phase 3 studies conducted in China were presented at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2018 annual meeting in October

Roxadustat for Anemia in CKD in Japan

Astellas NDA for roxadustat was filed with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) for anemia associated with dialysis-dependent CKD, triggering a $15 million milestone payment to FibroGen

Astellas announced positive topline results from the four Phase 3 dialysis-dependent studies that support the Japan NDA

Clinical results from two of the four Japan Phase 3 trials in dialysis-dependent patients were presented at the ASN Kidney Week 2018:

A Phase 3 trial in peritoneal dialysis patients was presented in an oral session

One of two non-dialysis-dependent Phase 3 studies supporting approval for non-dialysis is now completed

Pamrevlumab for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Clinical and preclinical data presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress (ERS) 2018 and 20th International Colloquium on Lung and Airway Fibrosis (ICLAF) 2018

Fast Track designation received from the FDA

Plan to start a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial with a primary endpoint of change in forced vital capacity (FVC) from baseline in approximately 500 patients, in the first quarter of 2019

Pamrevlumab for Pancreatic Cancer

On track to start a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study evaluating pamrevlumab in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as a neoadjuvant therapy for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) in approximately 260 patients in the first quarter of 2019

Corporate and Financial

Net loss for the third quarter was $42.6 million, or ($0.50) per share, compared to $24.5 million, or ($0.32) per share, for the same period in 2017

At September 30, 2018, FibroGen had $722.6 million of cash, cash equivalents, investments, restricted time deposits, and receivables

The weighted average number of common shares used to calculate net loss per share was 84.5 million shares and 75.9 million shares for the third quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Total shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 were 84.8 million shares

Conference Call and Webcast Details FibroGen will host a conference call and webcast today, Thursday, November, 8, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss financial results and provide a business update. A live audio webcast of the call may be accessed in the investor section of the company’s website, www.fibrogen.com. To participate in the conference call by telephone, please dial 1 (888) 771-4371 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (847) 585-4405 (international), reference the FibroGen third quarter 2018 financial results conference call, and use passcode 47780296. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call for a period of two weeks. To access the replay, please dial 1 (888) 843-7419 (domestic) or 1 (630) 652-3042 (international), and use passcode 4778 0296#.

About Roxadustat Roxadustat (FG-4592) is a first-in-class, orally administered small molecule currently in global Phase 3 clinical development as a potential therapy for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Roxadustat is a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) that promotes erythropoiesis through increasing endogenous erythropoietin, improving iron regulation, and reducing hepcidin. Administration of roxadustat has been shown to induce coordinated erythropoiesis – increasing red blood cell count while maintaining plasma erythropoietin levels within or near normal physiologic range in multiple subpopulations of CKD patients, including in the presence of inflammation and without a need for supplemental intravenous iron.

FibroGen and collaboration partners are pursuing four approval pathways in major jurisdictions to prepare for commercialization worldwide:

Astellas and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in territories including Japan, Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, and South Africa.

AstraZeneca and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in the U.S., China, and other markets in the Americas and in Australia/New Zealand as well as Southeast Asia.

FibroGen and its partners have completed 35 Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies. The Phase 2 clinical studies have consistently demonstrated anemia correction and maintenance of hemoglobin levels in multiple subpopulations across a wide spectrum of CKD patients.

Globally, the Phase 3 program encompasses a total of 15 Phase 3 studies of roxadustat in both non-dialysis-dependent and dialysis-dependent CKD patients to support independent regulatory approvals in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and China. To date, positive topline results have been announced for seven of the Phase 3 studies, with two supporting the China NDA for treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis and not on dialysis, four supporting the Japan NDA for treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis, and one supporting the U.S./EU submissions. The China and Japan NDAs are both under review by the respective regulatory agencies.

Roxadustat is currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the U.S. and in Phase 2/3 development for MDS in China.

About Pamrevlumab Pamrevlumab is a first-in-class antibody developed by FibroGen to inhibit the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a common factor in fibrotic and proliferative disorders characterized by persistent and excessive scarring that can lead to organ dysfunction and failure. Pamrevlumab is advancing towards Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pancreatic cancer, has been granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) in each of these indications, and is currently in a Phase 2 trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Pamrevlumab has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. Across all trials, pamrevlumab has consistently demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile to date. For information about pamrevlumab studies currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About FibroGen FibroGen, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California, with subsidiary offices in Beijing and Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, is a leading biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics. The company applies its pioneering expertise in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) biology, and clinical development to advance innovative medicines for the treatment of anemia, fibrotic disease, and cancer. Roxadustat, the company’s most advanced product candidate, is an oral small molecule inhibitor of HIF prolyl hydroxylase activity, completing worldwide Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a New Drug Application (NDA) currently under review by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China. Our partner Astellas submitted a NDA for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis in Japan and currently under review by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Roxadustat is in Phase 3 clinical development in the U.S. and Europe and in Phase 2/3 development in China for anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Pamrevlumab, an anti-CTGF human monoclonal antibody, is advancing towards Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pancreatic cancer, and is currently in a Phase 2 trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). FibroGen is also developing a biosynthetic cornea in China. For more information, please visit www.fibrogen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements regarding our strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements regarding the development of the company’s product candidates pamrevlumab and roxadustat, the potential safety and efficacy profile of our product candidates, and our clinical, regulatory plans, and those of our partners. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will”, “should,” “on track,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties related to the continued progress and timing of our various programs, including the enrollment and results from ongoing and potential future clinical trials, and other matters that are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors set forth therein. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by law.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(In thousands)

September30, 2018

December31, 2017 (1)

(Unaudited)

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

566,722

$

673,658

Short-term investments

86,009

62,060

Accounts receivable

23,187

8,452

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

2,865

4,800

Total current assets

678,783

748,970

Restricted time deposits

5,181

5,181

Long-term investments

40,602

10,506

Property and equipment, net

127,908

129,476

Other assets

3,167

4,517

Total assets

$

855,641

$

898,650

Liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

10,131

$

5,509

Accrued liabilities

52,598

63,781

Deferred revenue

37,697

16,670

Total current liabilities

100,426

85,960

Long-term portion of lease financing obligations

97,323

97,763

Product development obligations

16,948

17,244

Deferred rent

3,197

3,657

Deferred revenue, net of current

136,874

138,241

Other long-term liabilities

10,291

8,047

Total liabilities

365,059

350,912

Total stockholders’ equity

471,311

528,467

Non-controlling interests

19,271

19,271

Total equity

490,582

547,738

Total liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests

$

855,641

$

898,650

The condensed consolidated balance sheet amounts at December 31, 2017 are recast from audited financial statements to reflect the adoption of the new revenue standards as of January 1, 2018.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended September30,

Nine Months Ended September30,

2018

2017 (1)

2018

2017 (1)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Revenue:

License revenue

$

—

$

9,933

$

14,323

$

9,933

Development and other revenue

29,027

30,617

90,580

90,327

Total revenue

29,027

40,550

104,903

100,260

Operating expenses:

Research and development

56,443

50,336

165,555

144,049

General and administrative

15,356

12,953

45,961

37,908

Total operating expenses

71,799

63,289

211,516

181,957

Loss from operations

(42,772

)

(22,739

)

(106,613

)

(81,697

)

Interest and other, net:

Interest expense

(2,739

)

(2,769

)

(8,257

)

(7,901

)

Interest income and other, net

3,079

1,106

7,796

2,783

Total interest and other, net

340

(1,663

)

(461

)

(5,118

)

Loss before income taxes

(42,432

)

(24,402

)

(107,074

)

(86,815

)

Provision for income taxes

124

57

299

166

Net loss

$

(42,556

)

(24,459

)

$

(107,373

)

$

(86,981

)

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

$

(0.50

)

$

(0.32

)

$

(1.28

)

$

(1.24

)

Weighted average number of common shares used to calculate net loss per share - basic and diluted

84,508

75,891

83,713

69,899

The condensed consolidated statements of operations amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are recast from unaudited financial statements to reflect the adoption of the new revenue standards as of January 1, 2018.